Homestyle · Appetizer/Side
Pretzel Bites
Soft, golden pretzel bites served warm with a creamy cheddar cheese dipping sauce.
- Prep time
- 25 minutes
- Cook time
- 15 minutes
- Total time
- 1 hour 40 minutes
- Servings
- 6
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (360 mL)
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (480 g)
- 2 tsp salt
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted (55 g)
- 10 cups water, for boiling
- 2/3 cup baking soda (160 g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp water
- Coarse salt, for topping
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (28 g)
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (15 g)
- 1 cup whole milk (240 mL)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (170 g)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Directions
- Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
- Add the flour, salt, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms, then knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into several pieces and roll each piece into a long rope. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces to form the pretzel bites.
- Bring 10 cups of water to a boil in a large pot, then carefully add the baking soda.
- Working in batches, boil the pretzel bites for about 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Whisk the egg with 1 Tbsp water. Brush the pretzel bites with the egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes, until deeply golden brown.
- For the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and cook for 2–3 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and salt until completely melted and smooth.
- Serve the warm pretzel bites with the cheddar cheese sauce for dipping.